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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Regretting our name

107 replies

Janie1234 · 21/09/2023 17:23

Well we named our daughter Giuliana, but now I’m having name regret and don’t know how to shake it. Did I make a huge mistake?
is it hard to pronounce when first looking at it? Does it look weird? Maybe I should change it?

what do you think of this name?

OP posts:
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Alopeciabop · 21/09/2023 20:26

i love it. And definitely prefer the Italian spelling. I had similar with one of mine actually. I think a lot was trauma because I actually had really liked the name. It took a while to get better. I feel like if I had changed it I would have regretted it as I would have met people with the name further down the line and been like oh noo that was actually the name. If that makes any sense.

your mum is the issue here. Not the name.

Sundaygirl01 · 21/09/2023 20:31

I have seen the name (never met one) but didn’t know it was pronounced Juliana. I would change the spelling.

froway · 21/09/2023 20:35

If you’re not sure I’d seriously consider changing it. It’s surprisingly common (as we found out from the registrar when we were changing one of the dcs names!). Best thing we ever did, no regrets. You have 12 months from the date that the name was registered. Good luck with your decision.

rentreenothanks · 21/09/2023 20:36

I think it's beautiful and love it with the italiana spelling.

therealcookiemonster · 21/09/2023 20:43

it's quite nice I think. different without being insane. on which note please can you have a word with the poster who recently started a thread stating she was naming her child to be austyn rebel (if a girl) or Billy brave (if a boy) and explain post naming regret?

muddyford · 21/09/2023 20:44

It's beautiful.

MariePaperRoses · 21/09/2023 20:48

It's a beautiful name.

tangledearphones · 21/09/2023 20:49

It's a beautiful name. It took me months to get used to both DCs names when they were born.

I used to 'practise' saying it aloud. I'd talk to them and use their names.

"Good morning (Joe Bloggs)"

"Did you have a good sleep (Joe Bloggs)?"

"Can you see the birdies (Joe Bloggs)?"

I found myself getting used to their names as I purposely used them more frequently. Perhaps worth a try!

Helpmepleaseimbusy · 21/09/2023 20:53

I love it. It is a beautiful name. What has put you off?

WotNoUserName · 21/09/2023 20:53

I think it's a beautiful name.

My MIL didn't like one of my boys names. When he was about 1 she said how he totally suited his name. People get used to names. I had name regret with one of mine. He couldn't be anything else now - the other name I wanted for him just isn't him at all.

Calmdown14 · 21/09/2023 20:58

Perhaps some of the 'problem' is that it's not a very babyish name.

But then she's only going to be a baby a tiny amount of time.

I can picture a little girl or woman with the name and it's nice. Perhaps just shorten it or use a nickname too as she will probably grow into it (and that is better than outgrowing a name IMO).

BluebellsForest · 21/09/2023 21:01

I had to google how to pronounce it, and I do think that, in the UK, you are all going to be forever spelling it and correcting others' spelling. I have this a little bit with my name and it doesn't bother me, but I can see you having to repeatedly spell it out in a single interaction.

cakehoover123 · 21/09/2023 21:09

It's a great name!

AmazingSnakeHead · 21/09/2023 21:13

If you're part Italian it's a great name, traditional but has an English equivalent so not confusing. I personally really love Giulia as a name so would go for that as a nickname or alternative. But it's a great name anyway! Lots of nickname opportunities, too. For a baby you'd shorten that to Giulietta (Juliette) in Italian, but if you're really looking for alternatives even something like Anna, Alana, Lana would fit from that name.

honkersbonkers38 · 21/09/2023 21:16

I love it. Beautiful, classic.

AmazingSnakeHead · 21/09/2023 21:17

Also, as someone who named their child a top ten name, I can tell you that there are advantages to not having a name that's the same as everyone else's!

Sueretiredawhileago · 21/09/2023 21:18

Juliana shortened to Ju Ju is cute.

Hopskiplou · 21/09/2023 21:19

I love it, it’s instantly Italian and not hard for English speakers to pronounce once they’ve heard ‘Juliana’. Beautiful name.

Mitsouko1919 · 21/09/2023 21:19

Beautiful name OP. I have a family member (by marriage) with similar connections who is a Guilia. She's in her early seventies now & very stylish.

I hope you feel happier soon 🙂

Mitsouko1919 · 21/09/2023 21:21

Dratted autocorrect! She's Giulia 🙂

theduchessofspork · 21/09/2023 21:28

It’s a nice name, and with an Italian connection the spelling makes sense.

She can easily call herself Juliet or Annie as a nn if she wants.

I’d stick with it.

BadHairBae · 21/09/2023 21:29

It's a lovely name. Very classic and classy

HUGanALPACA · 21/09/2023 21:31

You have chosen a beautiful name for your beautiful girl.

I never comment on name threads but I just wanted to say how much I like it.

It is normal to doubt every decision you make in the early months.

I would write down every nice comment in this thread and show it to your daughter when she is older.

LDNista · 21/09/2023 21:32

It’s gorgeous. Such a beautiful, classic and dignified Italian name.

Marshall564 · 21/09/2023 21:33

Janie1234 · 21/09/2023 19:45

People should just keep those thoughts to themselves!!

Absolutely they should! I'm amazed people feel they can voice their opinions, unless they are asked for them. I'm not particularly keen on my DGC's name but wouldn't dream of telling my daughter that. My mother, on the other hand, made it clear she didn't like it. People are so rude!

Guiliana is a lovely name, but yes your daughter will have a lifetime of spelling it out or correcting pronunciations. I don't see that as a big issue, but If you really want to avoid that you'll need to change her name.